The Okeene Municipal Hospital announced as the Okeene Chamber of Commerce’s Business of the Month as they celebrate 60 Years!
The Okeene Hospital staff would like for you to join us in celebrating 60 years of service at a come-and-go cookout at the Okeene Community Building from 11-1 on Friday, July 1st, 2011. Hot dogs, lemonade and cookies will be served. Don’t forget to stop in and register for a door prize!
Where we came from to where we are today, a short history of the Okeene Municipal Hospital:
Medical services have been available in Okeene since 1915 when the first brick hospital was built. Since then the hospital has not only changed owners but locations multiple times with the current facility opening its doors on July 22, 1951. It consisted of 21 beds at a cost of $220,000.00 and was built by the town, community and federal funds. The board at the time was Ottis Goforth, Joe Naylor, Edgar Ellis, Ed Luetkemeyer, Harry Geis and E.F. Oblander.
The North wing of the hospital contained offices and rooms for three doctors and one dentist. The doctors at that time were; R.C. Tavlvin, C.H.Williams, K. Godfrey and dentist J. Murdock. The east wing had 2 isolation rooms with the remaining being private and semi-private rooms. The West wing contained the Lab, X-ray, Emergency room, Surgery and Central supply. The South wing was the O.B. rooms, nursery and kitchen. The basement contained storage and the laundry.
June 16, 1955 a preceptor program started and continues to this day with great success. Dr. B. Dotter joined the staff in 1961 and Dr. Lagan came on staff in 1965, the same year the hospital added a portable heart monitor and a new X-ray machine.
On January 26, 1969 a new wing was added with a four bed ICU equipped with monitors and an oscilloscope at the nurses’ station. The new wing contained 24 beds and the X-ray, Lab, lobby and clinic were also enlarged. The town also purchased the Schallmo facility with 50 beds to be used as extended care and nursing home.
In 1974 a new addition was added to the clinic to accommodate four doctors and Dr. Fred Winters opened practice in dentistry and is still seeing patients today.
In 1991 the OB and delivery wing renovation was completed.
In 2007 a $7.5 million dollar renovation and expansion project was completed making the current hospital a 17 bed critical access facility that currently employs over 80 professionals and 5 M.D.’s and one Physician Assistant.
None of the building or renovation projects would have been possible had it not been for the overwhelming support and love of the Okeene community. The hospital mission statement reads: “We are committed to serving those who entrust their lives and the lives of those they love with all of the compassion and dedication that we would expect to receive ourselves. We believe our first responsibility is to provide the absolute best care to the men, women, and children who are in need of health services. We accept all people equally, regardless of financial, racial, or social standing.” It is a statement that all hospital employees can be proud of, knowing that for 60 years, they HAVE provided the Absolute Best Care to you, our friends, neighbors, family — our community!!
Congratulations, Okeene Municipal Hospital on 60 years of success, you continue to be one of the largest employers in Okeene, we are truly blessed to live in a community with such a facility!
June’s BOM Okeene Campus Corner
Owners: Richard and Donna McCall
Richard McCall has been involved in Restaurant and Medical Nutrition for over twenty years. He was educated and received certification in Stillwater. Richard has always enjoyed working with people in difficult circumstances, and helping them to make their lives better. Richard has been a resident of Okeene for 9 years and is the father of two children; Richard James, “RJ” and Kristin McCall. Running, free climbing as well as martial arts are what occupies Richard’s play time but his passion is to work with people and make a difference. Throughout the years Richard has worked with outstanding people in various facilities; for the last but has always dreamed of having his own business.
Donna McCall is the mother of four; she was a foster parent in Dallas county for over twenty years. Donna lived in Meno for about 10 years before relocating to Okeene when she went to work as a Dietary Aide about 3 years ago where she told the manager, Richard, “I don’t cook and I want 9-5 Monday through Friday”, needless to say that didn’t work out. They worked together and began dating seven months ago. Recently, it became apparent that they needed a change. They began talking and praying about their future together. That it is how O.C.C. came to be…they opened Okeene Campus Corner Opened on April 21st this year.
The McCall’s say they have never worked so hard or been so happy….in fact, they went out and made it official a couple weeks ago…they “sealed the deal” and got married. CONGRATs, Richard and Donna! OCC would like to thank the folks in Okeene who have been so supportive and patient and they look forward to many years in our great community.
Please join us as we celebrate OCC being our Business of the Month at the Open House Thursday, June 23 from 5-7pm where you will find great specials and T-Shirt give-aways.
Razor’s Edge Barber Shop named Okeene Chamber of Commerce’s May Business of the Month
It was September 1961 when Ron Karbs began school at the Barber College of Oklahoma on California Street in OKC. After graduating in 1962, he went straight to work at the Airline Shopping Center in Midwest City at a 5-chair barber shop , but soon found himself working in Fairview at Leon Robinson’s 2-chair barber shop in the Boehs Hotel. Ron met Sue Peck when she was 13 & he was 14, and married her in 1963…I was assured they were older than 13 & 14 by then!
Mr. & Mrs. Karbs move back to the OKC for about 3 years while he worked in the Village @ Cassidy Square until they made their way back to Okeene in 1970.
The old Kampus Korner was thriving and Ron /started the Razor’s Edge Barber Shop there & cut hair there until it burned down in 1986; it was then that he moved to his current establishment at 120 E Oklahoma.
Ron & Sue raised their 2 children, Randy and Ronda (Jinkens) in the Okeene schools.
After 50 years of cutting hair, 41 of it in Okeene, Ron is not ready to retire yet; he says he will cut hair as long as he’s able, especially since a few years ago he started having 3-day weekends, now Ron has plenty of time to fish and watch his OU Football games.
Razor’s Edge is open Monday-Thursday 7:30-5:30
Please join us for our Business of the Month Open House this Thursday, May 26 from 3:30-5:30
Dobrinski Chevrolet
Dobrinski chevrolet began in October 1983 when Jim Dobrinski, along with partners Buck and Jamie Nease, bought the Chevrolet business from former dealer Trigg Snyder. Jim was joined by brother Mike in May 1985 when he graduated from Oklahoma State University. The brothers expanded their business to Kngfisher in 1988 by purchasing the Chevrolet-Oldsmobile business from Joe Haller. They added Buick and Pontiac in the late 90′s and witnessed the birth and death of the GEO franchise as well as the demise of Oldsmobile in December 2000.
After the 9/11 attacks, the automotive industry led in the rebuilding of American confidence with teh “Keep America Rolling” campaign which made interest-free financing an everyday expectation fro the average new car buyer. With business volumes growing, the need for new efficient facilities was addressed in teh spring of 2005 with the froundbreaking of new locaions in both Okeene and Kingfisher.
The businesses and both communities suffered a tragic loss in October 2005 with the death of Jim Dobrinski. With overwhelming support of employees and customers, the new dealership homes were completed in Okeene in January 2006 and in Kingfisher the following May. Overcoming adversity was necessary once again with th market collapse in the fall of 2008 which eventually led to the bankruptcy of General Motors and the end of Pontiac alsong with Saturn, Hummer and Saab.
With a slowly improving economy led by agriculture and the petroleum industry, Dobrinski’s of Kingfisher and Okeene are back to full employement of 21 and 15, respectively, including Jim’s daughter, megan and husband Mitch Graham in Okeene and Ali’s husband Kirk milligan in Kingfisher. General Motors granted a GMC franchise to Mike in July 2010 to add to Cevrolet-Buick in Kingfisher.
Both Mike and Nancy are please to continue the family business in their hometown and look forward to serving Okeene and Northwest Oklahoma for many years to come.
Luckie Drug selected as the Chamber’s March Business of the Month
There has been a pharmacy at the Luckie Drug location since the early 1900’s. The building initially was 2 separate stores; Hay Drug and Sahm Pharmacy, until Ralph Siemen purchased it and combined the two stores. It was about 1972 when Ron Haffner began Haffner Drug, he ran it until January of 2000 when Thomas Drug, Inc purchased Haffner Drug. August 26, 2010, Haffner Drug became Luckie Drug when Jim & Carrie Luckie bought out their partners from Thomas Drug, Inc.
Jim graduated from high school in Fritch, TX in 1990. He was a machinist for awhile before he went on to SWOSU School of Pharmacy where he graduated in 1999. Jim is one of our dedicated volunteer firefighters and he has served a couple of times on the Chamber board.
Jim met his lovely wife, Carrie while attending SWOSU in Weatherford. Carrie graduated from Geary High School in 1993 and is a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant. The Luckie’s saw the need for a flexible local Therapy company so in 2002 Wheatland Therapy began providing physical, occupational, and speech therapy to Okeene Municipal Hospital and the Okeene, Canton and Geary schools
There are 3 Luckie children; daughter Lauren (7), son Reiley (5) and son Jack (1). The children do and will attend Okeene schools. Jim and Carrie plan to be in Okeene, or their farm SE of Okeene where they raise cattle, for the rest of their lives.
Luckie Drug appreciates the opportunity to serve Okeene and the surrounding area and would like to thank everyone for welcoming them with open arms 11 or so years ago.
Please join the Chamber Thursday, March 17 from 2-4pm, (St. Patrick’s Day), for a bit of green refreshments to celebrate Luckie Drug being selected as our Business of the Month!
Okeene Variety Store selected for February’s Business of the Month
The new Okeene Variety Store is scheduled to open next Monday, February 14th with a Grand Opening celebration sponsored by the Okeene Chamber of Commerce. It’s a sweet deal for Okeene to have a variety store and owner Tony Green is looking forward to hearing what your needs are. One advantage to having a locally owned store is the merchandising can be tailored to Okeene’s needs. The new store will be equipped with new cash registers and will be more technically up-to-date. Mr. Green is excited to get the doors open so if the trucks that were delayed with the bad weather last week, make it in and they can get open before the 14th, they will swing the doors open wide and be thrilled to meet everyone of their new customers!
The Chamber looks forward to seeing you at the Grand Opening next Monday from 2-5pm we will be serving up refreshments and having a drawing at the end. Please come help us celebrate this new businesses opening!
State Guaranty Bank celebrating 111 years on 1-1-11!
State Guaranty Bank began in a frame building as the Bank of Okeene on January 1, 1900 in Okeene, Oklahoma Territory. The first officers were S.P. Richardson, President, Edward Cox, Vice President and F.E. Gilmore, Cashier. Deposits for the first day of business were $4,798.
In 1902, the bank was nationalized as the First National Bank of Okeene with H.C. Boardman as president and J.C. Fisher as cashier.
In September 1908 it was changed to its present name of State Guaranty Bank to take advantage of the new Oklahoma State Guaranty Law.
In 1909 State Guaranty Bank and Farmers & Merchants of Okeene (organized in 1903) merged. Later in 1914 O.E. Durham and associates purchased the Boardman interest in the bank.
The Citizens State Bank of Okeene was organized in 1901 where Otto Graalman was elected Assistant Cashier in 1905. In 1927 The Citizens State Bank was merged with State Guaranty Bank into the first 25 feet of its present bank building. O.E. Durham was President and Otto Graalman Vice President. The bank continued to grow and by 1985 had acquired another 75 feet north and the remaining block to the west.
After the death of O.E. Durham, James Durham became President of the bank in 1975 bringing many new innovations such as computerization to banking in Western Oklahoma. Mary Lou Durham was named Assistant Vice President in 1981, becoming Vice President and Secretary until her death in 2007.
Otto Graalman served as a Vice President, a director and Honorary Vice Chairman of the Board until his death in 1982. At that time, Robert Graalman, Jr. was elected as a director of State Guaranty Bank.
In March of 2004 James Sublett was named President and Kenneth Westfahl Executive Vice President. James Durham was named President and Director Emeritus of the bank.
Today, State Guaranty Bank remains locally owned and managed by the Durham and Graalman families who are committed to provide friendly, efficient and sound banking services to the Okeene and surrounding communities.
The SGB Open House will be held January 21
Lanman Funeral Home named Chamber’s December Business of the Month
Kenny Lanman started his journey of directing funerals in Helena, OK in 1975. Kenny and Irene were married in 1985 and Irene jumped in with both feet helping Kenny. By 1988 Irene became licensed, all along, Kenny dreamed of expanding their business beyond Helena’s city limits so when Eddie Sisson put Sisson Funeral Home up for sale, the Lanman’s became a part of Okeene.
Through the years the Lanman’s and staff have enjoyed the opportunity to work with many of the wonderful Okeene families and help them through their difficult time.
In October 2007 the man with the dream passed on leaving his Irene to carry on his mission, she has continued to dream Kenny’s dream and looks forward to many more years of serving Okeene.
The Lanman support staff includes Dianna Buller, Judy Doll, Debbie Slovacek, Bev Bussell, Tim Mueller, Gerald and Brenda Stricker with Irene and Kacey Ferguson being the licensed funeral directors and embalmers.
Lanman Funeral Home would like to thank everyone for their support through the years and are proud to have been named the Okeene Chamber’s Business of the Month.
Please join us Wednesday, December 8 for our Business of the Month Open House from 2-6pm.
Mountain Country Foods Celebrates 10 years
Mountain Country Foods had its first production in late November 2000 with Matt Dixon and four employees taking nearly two weeks to produce six pallets of dog biscuits in the debut run.
Today, after 10 years in business, the Okeene dog biscuit manufacturer produces 10 pallets of treats every hour and has grown to employ 107 people. It ships over 300 different items all over the world under an assortment of brand names.
Mountain Country Foods ships an average of 5 truckloads of product out every day. The plant runs 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Dixon and partner Doug Ford of Utah decided to build the factory in Okeene because it is in the heart of the wheat belt of the United States. Wheat is the primary ingredient used in making dog biscuits.
Mountain Country Foods used 15 loads of wheat from the Okeene Mill just last week and will purchase more than 500 loads of wheat annually. MCF has grown to be one of the Mill’s biggest customers.
Another reason the plant was built in Okeene was that Dixon wanted to bring his family back to Oklahoma, and he knew Okeene would be a business-friendly community in which to build and operate a factory.
To celebrate its 10th anniversary, Mountain Country Foods is taking its employees and their guests on a cruise in December.
MCF would like to thank all its business partners in Okeene, and, especially, the City of Okeene for all the help provided over the past 10 years.
